Country singer Ruston Kelly announced that he is now three days sober after recently suffering a relapse.

“I told myself back in 2021 that as long as I wasn’t using amphetamines that I would be on the right ‘clean’ journey for myself,” Kelly, 37, wrote in a poignant Instagram post about his relapse on Wednesday, July 29. “I had never been addicted to any drug other than those pills. I lumped in alcohol and THC etc initially because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do.”

He went on, “Somewhere along the way I became obstinate in my journey, that I wasn’t an ‘addict’ in the traditional sense of the word, that I was only addicted to amphetamines. ‘I’ve never had a problem with alcohol, I’ve never had a problem with XYZ’ ‘See I can be like everyone else, I can show self control, I am in control.’ I even got to the point of recent spiritual surrender and still attempted to live a lifestyle that was satisfactory to my carnal impulses because I ‘never had a problem with them.’”

Kelly — who was married to country superstar Kacey Musgraves from 2017 to 2020 — revealed that he experienced a crisis in his sobriety after a golf cart accident in June.

The “Mockingbird” singer was riding in a residential golf cart when it collided with an overgrown root, sending his cart flipping into the air. Kelly smashed his head into a mailbox and practically broke his arm “in half.”

“I was given fentanyl morphine ketamine dilaudid and oxycodone for 3 days leaving with a month long Rx of Percocet. I needed it for the level 15 pain but very quickly they started running out sooner and sooner,” he acknowledged. “I was chewing them in the pharmacy before I walked out the door. I was hiding how many at a time I was taking. I was complaining to the dr it wasn’t enough. It awakened something I hadn’t felt in a very long time.”

The musician ultimately decided on Sunday, July 26, that he was going to give up all substances and alcohol as a recommitment to his sobriety.

“I decided to end any chance of ruining anything good. For my soul my wife my family my art and career and my people,” he wrote. “I admitted that whether I like it or not I will forever have a substance abuse disease. ALL drugs/substances including alcohol and THC are off the table for good (working on nicotine) That if there is something that will scratch an itch I didn’t think I had, I will use it beyond excess and into addiction. I am 3 days completely clean and sober again, and intend to remain this way forever, one day at a time.”

Kelly’s confessional post received more than 7,000 likes, as of publication, with many of his friends and fellow musicians pledging their support for his sobriety journey.

“Your transparency and honesty is gonna help a lot of people 💙 It always has. Love u buddy,” singer Katie Pruitt replied in the comments section to Kelly’s post.

“Proud of you. Praying for you. Love you so much,” musician Natalie Hemby added. “Philippians 4:13 is such a powerful surrender. ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’”

Kelly has spoken openly about both his struggles and sobriety in the past, including telling Esquire in 2020 that he’d battled with addiction for most of his adult life. (Prior to his recent relapse, Kelly celebrated five years of sobriety in December 2025.)

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“I’ve always had an issue with self-control in my life. I’ve been emotionally reckless at times and I’ve definitely abused myself with copious amounts of drugs and illicit materials and doing crazy things, and being wild without purpose and that is dangerous,” he explained at the time.“It could be creatively fueling, but I think what’s really helped ground me is learning the difference between creative spontaneity and emotional recklessness in everyday life. And that line had always been blurred for me and [coronavirus] quarantine was a way for me to sit back, take inventory mentally, spiritually, physically.”

Following his 2020 divorce from Musgraves, 35, Kelly tied the knot with second wife Tia Cubelic in May after proposing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in September 2025.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

After conquering Prime Video, Alan Ritchson seems to be extending his empire on Netflix. Ritchson emerged as one of the biggest stars of the streaming era thanks to the hit action-thriller series Reacher, which has aired three seasons on Prime Video. He cemented his position with this year’s War Machine, which went on to become one of Netflix’s biggest-ever original movies. A sequel to War Machine was greenlit some weeks ago, along with another action movie starring Ritchson. He will also return as Reacher in the fourth season of the Prime Video series, as well as a spin-off titled Neagley. This week, Ritchson can be seen headlining his first major theatrical action movie: Motor City.

On the eve of Motor City‘s release, one of Ritchson’s rare dramatic movies found itself atop the domestic Netflix charts this past week, according to FlixPatrol. If this isn’t all-around domination, what is? Motor City, directed by Potsy Ponciroli, also features Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, and Pablo Schreiber. The movie currently holds a 66% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with Collider’s Aidan Kelley comparing it to the John Wick franchise and the films of Zack Snyder. In his review, he wrote that Motor City “feels like another logical step in Ritchson’s career as an action superstar, and one that will undeniably recruit even more of a dedicated following.”

Alan Ritchson Wields Considerable Star Power

However, the movie that’s currently number one on Netflix couldn’t be more different. We’re talking, of course, about Ordinary Angels. Starring Hilary Swank, the film was aimed at the faith-based demographic that took films such as The King of Kings and Jesus Revolution to major box-office success in recent years. More recently, the same audience turned out in droves to watch Young Washington, which has quietly grossed more than $40 million domestically. Ordinary Angels, like most movies aimed at faith-based crowds, received near-unanimous audience praise. The movie holds a “Certified Fresh” 84% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 99% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “With a dash of grace and circumstance, this sweet display of humanity is stabilized by Hilary Swank in a role that plays to the heartstrings of all Ordinary Angels.”

Ordinary Angels is streaming now on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Release Date

February 23, 2024

Advertisement

Runtime

118 Minutes

Director

Advertisement

Jon Gunn

Writers

Meg Tilly, Kelly Fremon Craig

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Bethenny Frankel just served up a poolside look that had Us rethinking everything we thought we knew about bold swimsuits. The former Real Housewives of New York star reached for a vibrant red one-piece that felt equal parts timeless, flattering and confidence-boosting, proving women over 50 don’t have to play it safe at the beach. The best part is recreating the look doesn’t require a designer-sized budget.

Frankel recently shared an Instagram Story wearing a striking red one-piece swimsuit with a sleek, one-shoulder neckline and streamlined silhouette. The rich scarlet hue instantly caught our attention, while the asymmetrical cut highlights the shoulders and elongates the frame, proving a thoughtfully designed one-piece can be just as flattering as any bikini. While we’re not sure which swimsuit she’s wearing, we found a $34 lookalike on Amazon.

Get the Century Star One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Related: Cindy Crawford’s Black Swimsuit Is Mega Flattering on Women Over 50

Cindy Crawford just proved that women over 50 don’t need trendy swimsuits to look incredible. The supermodel’s timeless black bikini is equal parts classic and flattering, reminding everyone why some silhouettes never go out of style. Even better? A similar Amazon version is available for just $26. Crawford was recently spotted enjoying a beach day […]

Advertisement

Enter: the Century Star One-Shoulder Swimsuit. Featuring the same eye-catching, asymmetrical neckline and bold red shade, the affordable style captures the sophisticated feel of Frankel’s look without a luxury price tag. Whether you’re heading on vacation or simply spending weekends by the pool, it’s the kind of timeless swimsuit you’ll reach for season after season.

Beyond its elegant silhouette, the swimsuit is packed with flattering details. The ruched bodice offers gentle tummy control, while the full-coverage bottom provides comfortable coverage that still feels modern and chic. Available in sizes XS through XXL, it also comes in black, olive, pink and several other colors if you’d like to add more than one to your swimwear collection.

Shoppers say it’s just as confidence-boosting as it looks. One reviewer in her “late 50s” said the swimsuit didn’t make her feel “the slightest bit ‘overly exposed,’” while another buyer called it “comfortable and cute” and added that it “hides the mom tummy.” Those glowing reviews only reinforce why the flattering silhouette has become such a customer favorite.

If you’ve been wanting to step outside your swimsuit comfort zone, let Frankel’s latest poolside look be the inspiration you need. A bold red one-piece is equal parts classic and confidence-boosting, and this affordable Amazon find makes it easier than ever to recreate the look.

Get the Century Star One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Century Star here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

Related: Jennifer Aniston’s ’90s Flatform Sandals Are Trending (Again)

Jennifer Aniston’s effortless ’90s style continues to inspire fashion trends decades later, and her chunky flatform sandals are the latest throwback making a comeback. The comfortable shoes add subtle height while maintaining the minimalist look the actress made famous, making them just as stylish today as they were back then. If you’ve been wanting to […]

Advertisement

George and Amal Clooney have evacuated their home in France amid wildfires sweeping through the region.

Us obtained a letter that the couple, 65 and 48 respectively, sent to Didier Brémond, mayor of the southeastern French village of Brignoles. (The Clooneys have lived in an 18th century farmhouse in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur community since 2021.)

The Clooneys wrote, “Dear Didier, at this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment and as we evacuate Brignoles we want to emphasise 2 things, first we hope you and the people of our city are safe and second that Amal and I are committed to making sure that whatever happens to our village, we are part of this community and we’ll be part of making it whole. We love Brignoles and our friends who live there.”

Wildfires, fueled by an extreme heatwave, have ravaged Europe in recent days, forcing large-scale evacuations across France, Greece, Italy and Spain.

Related: Everything George and Amal Clooney Have Said About Parenting Their Twins

Since welcoming twins Alexander and Ella in June 2017, George Clooney and Amal Clooney have candidly opened up about their children on multiple occasions. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to […]

CNN reported that more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, where the Clooneys live, while French and Spanish authorities confirmed that more than 250,000 people total have been evacuated across both countries due to the fires.

“In these hours when the flames are severely testing our country, France reveals what it is: a united people, standing shoulder to shoulder,” French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted on Saturday, July 25. “Thank you to our firefighters, our military personnel, the civil security forces, our gendarmes and police officers, as well as to the farmers and entrepreneurs, who through their commitment and courage, relentlessly combat the fires.”

Macron, 48, continued, “All civil and military resources are mobilized: civil security aerial resources, Canadair, Dash, water-bomber helicopters, reinforcements from across France. … Our thoughts also go to Spain, Italy, Greece, and all the peoples who are also facing wildfires.”

“We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will be there as long as it takes,” the politician vowed.

George and Amal own various properties throughout Europe, including the historic Mill House estate in Berkshire, England, and a residence known as Villa Oleandra in Lake Como, Italy.

Last October, Clooney told The Guardian that he moved his family to France to give his 9-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, the best possible childhood.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“We live on a farm in France,” he said. “A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm [in Kentucky], and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for [the twins], it’s like – they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grownups and have to take their dishes in.”

The two-time Oscar winner went on, “They have a much better life. I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France – they kind of don’t give a s*** about fame. I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”

George and Amal officially received French citizenship with their twins in December 2025, per a naturalization decree published by French newspaper Journal Officiel.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s son is letting fans into a part of his life he has largely kept out of the spotlight. 

Moses Martin, the 20-year-old son of the Oscar-winning actress and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, surprised followers by publicly celebrating his girlfriend on social media. 

The heartfelt birthday tribute marked the first time the aspiring musician and model has shared a romantic relationship online, offering a rare glimpse into his life beyond his famous family.

Rather than making a grand announcement, Gwyneth Paltrow’s son let two simple photos do the talking. 

The Brown University student celebrated his girlfriend’s 21st birthday by sharing affectionate snapshots on Instagram Stories, marking the first time he has publicly featured a romantic partner on his social media.

Advertisement

In one image, the couple coordinated in navy jackets and jeans as Moses wrapped an arm around her, captioning the post, “Favorite person’s Birthday.”

Another photo showed the birthday celebrant enjoying a beach outing while playfully wearing two pairs of sunglasses. 

Moses paired the image with an even more heartfelt message, writing, “I love you big time.”

Paltrow’s Son And Campbell Fealy Share More Than Just Brown University

The Daily Mail identified Gwyneth Paltrow’s son’s  girlfriend as Campbell Fealy, who recently began her studies at Brown University, where Moses is entering his second year.

Their relationship also brings together two accomplished families. Campbell is the daughter of orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Stephen Fealy, who serves as a consultant to the Major League Baseball Players Association after previously playing baseball at Columbia University. 

Advertisement

Her mother, Kristen Gesswein Fealy, is known for teaching mah jongg, while Campbell has two brothers, including her twin, James. 

Although both come from successful backgrounds, the pair are now forging their own paths while sharing campus life at the Ivy League university.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Son’s Girlfriend Has Fashion And Athletics Experience

Long before her relationship with Moses attracted public attention, Campbell had already developed interests spanning athletics and fashion.

She previously attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she competed in varsity track and field before transferring to Brown.

Her résumé also includes a public relations internship with Balenciaga’s New York office, giving her firsthand experience inside one of fashion’s biggest luxury brands.

Advertisement

Even her family’s interests unexpectedly intersect with the Paltrow household. Campbell’s mother teaches mah jongg, a game that has enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years and one that Paltrow famously spotlighted when Goop featured a luxury Hermès mah jongg set in one of its holiday gift guides.

Burberry Gave Moses His First Major Modeling Break

Fashion appears to be another passion Gwyneth Paltrow’s son and Campbell have in common. 

While Campbell previously gained experience behind the scenes, Moses has also explored the luxury fashion world, making his modeling debut in Burberry’s “Escape to the Countryside” campaign earlier in July . 

The young star appeared alongside Edie Campbell, Nora Attal, and Sang Woo Kim in the British luxury house’s autumn campaign, which follows a group of friends on a countryside road trip inspired by Burberry’s outdoor heritage. 

Photographed by Chris Rhodes, Moses modeled a range of signature Burberry looks, including layered polos, trench coats, House Check accessories, and casual separates. 

Advertisement

The project also showcased another side of his creativity, with his band, People I’ve Met, providing the soundtrack through its song “For Hire.” 

Gwyneth Paltrow Couldn’t Hide Her Pride For Son Moses

If there’s one person who has consistently championed Moses’s creative journey, it’s his mother. Paltrow has never been shy about celebrating her son’s milestones, and that support was on full display when she marked his 20th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram tribute. 

Sharing a collection of recent and throwback photos, the Oscar winner described Moses as “the definition of a gentleman” before praising him as “kind, intelligent, thoughtful and soulful.” 

She went on to call her son “beyond words… incredible,” telling him she was sending “a big birthday hug from the west coast” while teasing, “Don’t forget to check the mailbox today.” 

The doting mom closed the message with, “I love you to bits, mama,” a sentiment that quickly resonated with fans. Moses later responded in the comments with a series of heart emojis.

Advertisement

Movie lovers have always had a fascination with Westerns. In the glory days of the genre, they provided an exciting look at a golden age of cowboys and adventures set against a sprawling backdrop of deserts and mountains. As time has gone by, the genre has evolved, inviting neo-Westerns into the conversation while holding true to its ideals.

Since 2000, Westerns have experienced an extraordinary boom. Throughout the past 26 years, there have been some masterpieces, but the six that made this list are the most perfect of them all. From classic themes, remakes of iconic titles, and newfound thrillers that reignited a passion for the Wild West, these six movies are the most perfect. While there are certainly other movies that came oh so close, these six are why the West continues to win.

1

‘3:10 to Yuma’ (2007)

Image via Lionsgate

Sometimes a modern eye and newfound cinematic technology can take an already solid story and elevate it into something incredible. Such was the case for the 2007 remake of 3:10 to Yuma. Adapted from Elmore Leonard’s short story, the film follows an impoverished, debt-ridden rancher named Dan Evans (Christian Bale) who agrees to safely escort a notorious, captured outlaw named Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to a 3:10 train heading to Yuma prison in exchange for money to save his family’s land. Along the way, Wade’s violent gang tracks them relentlessly, while Wade and Dan engage in a tense psychological duel and develop an unexpected mutual respect. An enthralling Western whose action is as gripping as the psychological duel, 3:10 to Yuma elevates a simple escort mission into a tense, character-driven study of morality, duty, and mutual respect.

3:10 to Yuma proudly stands on its own as a masterclass of Western filmmaking. Director James Mangold uses the story to propel a dynamite character-driven drama that could easily be a stage play. The movie explores deep themes of fatherhood, personal redemption, and what it truly means for a broken man to earn back his self-respect in the eyes of his son. Bale and Crowe have extraordinary chemistry as rivals. Bale portrays raw, grounded desperation and quiet honor, while Crowe plays a villain with dangerous charm, intelligence, and an unpredictable moral code. The true unhinged villain performance comes from Ben Foster as Wade’s ruthless, psychopathic right-hand man, Charlie Prince. The film shifts away from the standard good-versus-evil Western narrative, in exchange for how the captive outlaw slowly influences and respects his captor. The film builds tension as the clock ticks toward that departure, keeping the audience on edge.

2

‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)

Image via Focus Features

The Western genre may be about cowboys and the love for the job, but in Ang Lee’s beautiful romance Brokeback Mountain, love runs deeper. The film takes Annie Proulx’s short story and expands it into a groundbreaking masterpiece. The story follows the complex, secret love affair between two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), spanning from 1963 to 1983 in the American West. Isolated from the rest of the world, Ennis and Jack form a deep emotional and physical bond that changes their lives forever. After the summer ends, they separate and both marry women—Ennis marries Alma (Michelle Williams), and Jack marries Lureen (Anne Hathaway). However, they continue to meet up over the course of twenty years for sporadic, hidden fishing trips. Brokeback Mountain tackles forbidden love as it explores how hard it was to express same-sex love in rural America during a time when it was heavily judged, rejected, and unsafe. Brokeback Mountain is more than that “gay cowboy movie.” It’s a transcendent journey through regret, lost time, and the persistence of love.

Brokeback Mountain has all the makings of a Western, but then subverts it into a sensationally unique tale of true love and the struggle to keep it. The cowboy myth is reshaped as the ultimate symbol of rugged, hypermasculine American patriarchy and exposes how rigidly enforced social codes destroy the people who cannot fit inside them. The story highlights the high emotional cost of unfulfilled desires and living a divided life. And love is at the center of that battle. The film brilliantly blends a deeply moving, universal love story with a powerful deconstruction of traditional American masculinity. Lee directs with immense empathy and quiet precision, avoiding melodrama to let small gestures, glances, and long silences carry the emotional weight. Rodrigo Prieto’s breathtaking cinematography uses the vast Wyoming wilderness as a temporary sanctuary for freedom, which starkly contrasts with the claustrophobic, hostile towns where the men are forced to live their separate, conventional lives. Brokeback Mountain pushed commercial and cultural barriers, proving that an LGBTQ-led narrative could achieve high artistic merit and deeply move mainstream audiences worldwide.

3

‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

Image via WC

There’s not a genre that Quentin Tarantino can’t handle. In 2012, he took a shot at spaghetti Westerns with Django Unchained. The film tells the tale of Django Freeman (Jamie Foxx), an enslaved man in Texas who is freed after being purchased by a German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) for his ability to identify his next targets, the murderous Brittle brothers (M. C. Gainey, Cooper Huckabee, and Doc Duhame). Together, they hunt criminals and travel deep into the American South to rescue Django’s wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), from a brutal, sadistic plantation owner, “Monsieur” Calvin J. Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Blending the high-energy style of a spaghetti Western with a powerful revenge story, Django Unchained forces viewers to face the true horrors of American slavery while giving its hero a rare, deeply satisfying victory.

Tarantino uses the style of old exploitation and Western films to tell a story of real justice. It trades the usual tragic ending of slave dramas for a powerful, explosive moment of payback. All with the visceral signature Tarantino style. By using the real-world historical horrors of American slavery, such as brutal whippings, forced dog attacks, and mandingo fights, some scenes feel as terrifying and visceral as a horror movie. So, yes, there is lots and lots of blood. The film is filled with top-notch performances, especially from Foxx, Waltz, and DiCaprio. Foxx brings a quiet strength that counters the charm and a warm heart to his role as a mentor. DiCaprio defies type by leaning into a cruel villain with terrifying ease. Other strong turns come from Samuel L. Jackson as a complex and bitterly hateful house servant, Stephen, and Walton Goggins as the sadistic overseer and enforcer, Billy Crash. Django Unchained is not the easiest film to watch, and yet, it’s extraordinarily entertaining. ​​​​​​​

4

‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

Image via Miramax/ courtesy Everett Collection

It’s easy for us to toss around terms like magnum opus, but when it comes to Joel and Ethan Coen, their magnum opus truly is No Country for Old Men. Based on Cormac McCarthy‘s 2005 novel, No Country for Old Men follows three individuals. Set in West Texas in 1980, a hunter named Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds a drug deal gone wrong and a case with 2 million dollars. He takes the money, which starts a deadly chase. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is a terrifying and calm hitman sent to find the money. He tracks Moss using a hidden electronic device and kills anyone in his way. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) tries to save Moss and stop Chigurh, but feels old and helpless in a changing, violent world. The neo-Western thriller subverts traditional cinematic expectations through minimalist storytelling, terrifying realism, and profound thematic depth.

No Country for Old Men is not a happy Hollywood Western. In fact, its bleakness makes it more authentic and raw. The movie is full of suspense and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The imagery is quite profound. What tends to be a beautiful, vast landscape is reconfigured to capture the dry, empty splendor of the West Texas desert. The film uses very little background music and sparse dialogue, relying on pure atmosphere. With Bardem playing one of the greatest and most terrifying antagonists, the mood was grim. Taking on the remorseless, coin-flipping monster tracking down a stash of cash makes the journey harrowing. The film was widely praised, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for the Coen brothers. ​​​​​​​

5

‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)

Image via Paramount Vantage

Advertisement

Loosely based on the 1927 novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair, writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson crafted a brilliant period epic that became grander than its source material. There Will Be Blood follows Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), a ruthless silver miner turned oil tycoon, as he builds his fortune in early 20th-century California, using his adopted son H.W. (Dillon Freasier) to project the image of a family man while manipulating landowners into selling their property. Plainview clashes with a charismatic local preacher named Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), leading to a bitter, destructive conflict over wealth, faith, and power that leaves Plainview morally bankrupt and isolated. Anderson brilliantly challenges traditional cinematic expectations through minimalist storytelling, terrifying realism, and profound thematic depth. There Will Be Blood succeeds as a premier modern Western by subverting traditional frontier myths, replacing cowboys and gunfights with the brutal clash of corporate capitalism and religious zealotry during the California oil boom.

There Will Be Blood tells a dark story about greed, capitalism, and the loss of human soul through a brilliant visual and auditory scope. Anderson shoots the bleak landscapes of early California with deep, quiet power. Alongside cinematographer Robert Elswit, the film uses natural light and vast, empty horizons to show how small and empty the characters’ souls are. Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead created a score filled with screeching violins and heavy, pounding dread, operating like a loving, breathing character that builds upon the panic and unease. There Will Be Blood showcases the foundational work of modern American wealth that was built on exploiting the earth, manipulating people, and destroying human connection. The film evokes a psychological horror as Plainview is like a classic movie monster. He starts his journey with cold, calculating ambition and an absolute lack of empathy, turning him into an inhumane force. It’s all part of Day-Lewis’ legendary performance. He does not need many words to show his inner madness. His sharp voice, heavy breathing, and fierce eyes create innate fear. The Western myth of a noble frontier hero is traded away for a misanthropic, hyper-capitalist antihero, making the film a worthy watch. ​​​​​​​

6

‘True Grit’ (2010)

Image via Wilson Webb/©Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Advertisement

The original True Grit was an extraordinary classic. But sometimes it takes the right creative team, perfect timing, and faithfulness to the source material to execute the ultimate adaptation. The 2010 iteration of Charles Portis’ novel is simply perfect. Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, True Grit is the epitome of a classic Western. The story follows 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), who hires a one-eyed, drunken U.S. marshal named Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to track down Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the hired hand who murdered her father. They are joined by a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who is also hunting Chaney for a separate crime. A spellbinding journey into the wilderness, their grit and resolve are tested by harsh weather, shootouts, and violent outlaws hiding out in the territory. True Grit captures the stark, poetic tone of Portis’ original novel, offering a grounded, unromanticized, yet visually stunning look at the American frontier.

The Coens opted to tell the story through Mattie’s eyes; a decision that proved worthwhile. She serves as the emotional anchor of the story. Steinfeld, in a breakthrough role, is treated as a young teenager with fierce agency, with complete seriousness rather than as a cute gimmick. She holds up strongly to the Hollywood legends surrounding her on screen. True Grit presents a moral conundrum for many of the characters. When violence erupts, it is sudden, brief, and brutal, emphasizing the messy and rapid consequences of frontier survival. The Coen brothers approach the classic Western tropes with complete sincerity, creating a timeless myth rather than cynically mocking or deconstructing the genre. Cinematographer Roger Deakins frames the West as a cold, majestic, and indifferent landscape that mirrors the harshness of the journey. True Grit is a razor-sharp Western that honors the classics while setting the blueprint for the 21st century.

Advertisement

True Grit

Advertisement

Release Date

December 22, 2010

Runtime

110 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Advertisement

Writers

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Charles Portis

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement